Cargo-handling vessel

ABSTRACT

A vessel of severable hull sections designed to be rotatably severable in controlled fashion and capable of supporting means for lifting and transferring cargo to or from an adjacent ship or pier or an intermittent barge or any combination of the like.

Ilmfiifreedi States Patent Stigfiieh 3,414,143 12/1968 Scott ....212/3 652,243 6/1900 Brown...................................114/125 [54] CARG U-HANIDLING VESSEL v ,v .v nnn aaa mmm rrr eee 066 704 166 999 111 998 T C A R T S B A [72] Inventor: NichoIas M. Stigliclh, Cresskill, NJ.

[73] Assignee: IEness Research 8: Development Corp,

Westwood, NJ.

[22] Filed: Apr, 20, 19711 [21] App1.N0.: 30,1110

am on d L e MP 1 O0 5 A vessel of severable hull sections designed to be rotatably severable in controlled fashion and capable of supporting References Cited means for lifting and transferring cargo to or from an ad acent UNITED STATES PATENTS ship or pier or an intermittent barge or any combination of the 2,329,972 9/1943 3,061,112 10/1962 Bevard.....................................212/74 WCIaims,MIDrawingIFigmres i t i Y Q PATENTEUFEB 29 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 5 FlG.2.

INVENTOR NICHOLAS M.STIGLICH ATTORNEY BY W PAIENTEOFEB29 I972 SHEET 2 BF 5 FIG.3.

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INVENTOR NIEHOLAS NI. STHGLICH ATTORNEY PMENTEUFEBZQ I972 SHEET 1F .5

TO WBNCH INVENTOR MHCHLA WHGU CH BY 7777M ATTORNEY CAlltGG-HANDLING VESSEL The present-day method of handling cargo containers via barges or lighters is manifested in two distinct forms. One of these is the use of container ships with onboard cargo gear to transfer containers to and from barges or lighters, while the newer and more efficient form is the use of specially designed ships which have onboard facilities for handling and stowage of specially designed barges or lighters loaded with containers. The conventional container vessels with onboard cargo gear are becoming scarce since the building of these ships is being discontinued because of the high cost of the handling gear and the fact that it is inoperative while the ship is at sea. The newer and more efficient ships which carry container loaded barges or lighters are few in number and their cost greatly exceeds the cost of conventional container ships.

The object of this invention is the creation of container-handling equipment which would eliminate the need for onboard handling gear and interface efficiently between conventional container ships and barges and/or docking facilities. This equipment can consist of twin hulls connected by means of a linkage system which will allow controlled separation of the hulls. Further, the linkage system can support a crane unit capable of handling containerized cargo. The separation of the hulls provides desirable stability against the effects of offcenter loading and wave action while handling containers and the like.

FIG. I shows the vessel with both severable hull sections fastened together in condition for transport at sea.

FIG. 2 shows the vessel with both severable hull sections separated at their maximum distance from one another prior to raising load lift to operational level.

FIG. 3 shows the vessel with both severable hull sections separated at their maximum distance from one another and the rotatably mounted bridging members raised to a height sufiicient for the transfer of cargo.

FIG. 4 shows the bridging members at their position substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the vessel and a means for extending and retracting those members.

FIG. 5 shows a stabilizer beam in position for transport at sea.

FIG. 6 is a section view showing a stabilizer beam in its working position to maintain the separated hull sections at a controlled distance form one another.

FIG. 7 is a section view showing a stabilizer beam in position for transport at sea.

FIG. 8 is a section view showing the stabilizer beam in its working position against a separated hull section.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an interlocking mechanism designed to secure the hull sections together for transport at sea.

FIG. It is a section view of the hull sections interlocked together by the mechanism shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. it is a section view of the hull sections interlocking mechanism taken at ill-ill in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a detail view showing a pair of interlocking hull section wedge plates shown in schematic in F IG. 9.

FIG. i3 is a view of a hull section support column showing the detail of means used for raising and lowering the rotatably mounted bridging member and support member.

FIG. M is a perspective view of a bridging member sheath for a stabilizer beam together with a stabilizer beam cable shown schematically as it is used to support a stabilizer beam.

In FIG. i, starboard hull section 1 and port hull section 2 are interiocked in their position for transport at sea. Mounted on starboard hull section I. are two support columns 3 disposed asymmetrically to two corresponding columns 3 mounted on port hull section 2. Forward bridging member 4 interconnects the forward starboard hull section column 3 with the forward port hull section column 3. Aft bridging member 5 interconnects aft starboard hull section column 3 with aft port hull section column 3. Forward bridge member 4 is rotatably connected to both port and starboard columns as aft bridging member 5 is rotatably connected to both aft port and starboard columns 3.

As shown in FIG. l with the port and starboard hull sections interlocked, bridging members 4 and 5 are diagonally oriented above the interlocked deck surface. Between bridge members 4 and 5, also disposed diagonally above the interlocked deck surface is control house 6.

Control house 6 is mounted on telescoping load lift 7 which is rotatably suspended from starboard support member ti and port support member 9. Any convenient means for providing rotatable movement between port and starboard members ti and 9 and telescoping load lift 7 may be used. Trolley means 17 enables trolley wheels I18 to ride along beam flange W in a fore and aft direction. Any suitable trolley means or the like can be used such as the trolley means described in U.S. Pat No. 3,06 l ,l 12 issued to R. L. Bevard on Oct. 30, I962.

FIG. 2 shows starboard hull section ll interlocked and separated from port hull section .2 in their fully extended position relative to one another. In this position, forward bridging member is disposed at substantially right angles to support members d and 9. Correspondingly, aft bridging member 5 is disposed at substantially right angles to support members ii and 9. Load lift 7 is shown rotated from its transport position diagonally disposed above the deck surface to its working position substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the vessel.

FIG. 3 shows bridging members d and 5 in their raised positions substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the vessel and raised above the vessel deck level a substantial number of feet sufiicient to allow loads to be transferred in the space remaining between the vessel deck level and load lift 7.

Telescoping load lift channel It) is shown extended in load lift 7 over pier lit. Load lift channel 10 is provided with a slidable plate i2 and is also provided with any ordinary means capable of transporting plate 112 from the starboard extremity of channel it) to the port extremity of that channel such as a trolley or the like. Plate 12 is provided with ordinary means for attaching that plate to any standard size container load such as load 13.

Load 13, once engaged by plate 12, can be transported along channel 10 by the trolley means or the like to a position inboard of starboard hull section l and disposed above waterway 14 defined by the distance of separation of starboard hull section ll from port hull section 2. In that position load 13 can be lowered to a position of storage on barge 15 or the like.

If desired, load 113 can be transported from its position over pier ill by trolley means or the like to the port extremity of channel 10 and thence to a position outboard of port hull section 2 by sliding telescoping channel llt along load lift 7 from its position extended to starboard as shown in FIG. 3 to a position extended to port sufficient to locate load 13 over vessel in. In that position, load 113 can be lowered into any selected storage position aboard vessel 16 by any of several convenient means such as winch driven block and tackle arrangements coacting between channel and plate l2.

FIG. i shows a preferred means for controlling the extension and retraction of bull sections ii and 2 in relation to one another. To fully extend hull sections I and 2, as shown in FIG. 2;, the cylinders 20 can be supplied by any convenient means with hydraulic pressure to force pistons Zll towards their fully extended position as shown in FIG. 4. Because of the mechanical advantage gained by providing several sheaves around piston head blocks 22 and cylinder heel blocks 23 the distance of travel pistons 21l is multiplied a predetermined number of times sufficient to draw block 24 closer to block 255 by wire rope 26.

Simultaneously, hydraulic fluid is removed from cylinders 27 so that piston head blocks 28 are retracted by their pistons to diminish the distance between piston head blocks 28 and cylinder heel blocks 29. A corresponding mechanical advantage in these cylinders lengthens the distance between blocks 36) and 311 by wire rope 32. Reversing this process would retract hull sections l and 2 from their extended posi tion as shown in FIG. 2 to their interlocked position as shown in FIG. I.

FIG. 5 shows one stabilizer beam 40 supported by starboard cable 41 and port cable 42 together with safety support pins 43. Stabilizer beam 40 is fully raised beneath bridging member 5 and shown aligned within port sheath 44 and starboard sheath 45. Any convenient winch means or the like can be used to raise and lower stabilizer beam 40 by cables 41 and 42.

FIG. 6 shows stabilizer beam 40 lowered into its working position submerged beneath the waterway l4 and supported from above by starboard cable extension 46 and port cable extension 47. Stabilizer beam 40 is supported from below by starboard hull section lip 48 and port hull section lip 49.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 14, beam 40 is released from its transport position by removal of pins 43 and lowering by cable extension 47 over an ordinary pulley means 55 fastened to bridge member 5. Stabilizer beam 40 is lowered by cable 42 and its extension 47 within channel 50 provided in port hull section 2 as shown in FIG. 8. A corresponding channel is provided in starboard hull section 1.

As stabilizer beam 40 is lowered into its working position by cable extension 47 and cable 42, together with their corresponding starboard members, cable extension seat 51, mounted in channels 52 on port hull section 2, is slid inboard into position to receive and support ring 53 on cable extension 47 as shown in FIG. 14. Cable extension 47 can then be disconnected from cable 42 by disengaging cable 42 from support ring 53. Seating of support ring 53 on cable extension seat 51 maintains stabilizer beam 40 in its working position above lips 48 and 4s.

Means such as that shown in FIG. 13 can be used to raise and lower bridging member 5 together with load support member 8. Support member 8 is rotatably positioned between upper and lower jaws of bridging member 5 in hinged relation coacting in free rotation about column 3. Any convenient winch means or the like can be used to take in or pay out on wire rope 60 to raise or lower, respectively, bridging member 5 by the aid of any convenient block and tackle means 61 or the like. As the weight of support member 8 is assumed by the lower jaw of bridging member 5, support member 8 will be raised and lowered together with bridging member 5. Similarly, the corresponding hinge joints about the other three columns can be raised and lowered in this same manner. Means are provided for coordinating the raising and lowering of all four hinge joints together.

When it is desired to transport the vessel, starboard hull section 1 can be rotated by means such as shown in FIG. 4 into interlocking engagement with port hull section 2. FIGS. 9 through 12 show a convenient means for accomplishing this interlocking. As starboard hull section 1 is urged toward port hull section 2, starboard hull section wedge plates 70 approach port hull section wedge plates 73 in arcuate fashion as shown in FIG. ll. Port hull section wedge plates 71 are provided with hydraulic cylinders 72 fed by hydraulic supply lines 73 and 74.

Starboard hull section wedge plates 70 are cambered as are port hull section wedge plates 71, so as to urge each other into correct interlocking alignment upon contact. As port and starboard hull sections are brought into engagement, pistons 75 align with apertures 76. When in position, pistons 75 are extended by hydraulic pressure into apertures 76 in starboard hull section wedge plates 70, accomplishing a firm interlock between port and starboard hull section.

I claim:

I. A vessel comprising a hull consisting of at least two separable hull sections, means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another to a working position, means to mate said separable hull sections together to form a single hull for transporting said sections, means supported over at least one of said hull sections when said sections are in said working position capable of engaging a load, lifting said load and transferring said lifted load from its lifted position to another position for disengaging of said load.

2. A vessel of the type described in claim ll wherein the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is supported over at least two of said hull sections.

3. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections.

4. A vessel of the type described in claim ll wherein the means for engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections, transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections and thence to a position outboard of said hull sections other than the position from which the load was engaged and lifted.

5. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position inboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position outboard of said hull sections.

6. A vessel of the type described in claim l wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member.

7. A vessel of the type described in claim I wherein the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is supported by at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrance of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section.

8. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member, the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections, and the means used to support said engaging, lifting and transferring means is at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrence of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section.

9. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member, the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections, transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections and thence to a position outboard of said hull sections other than the position from which the load was engaged and lifted, and the means used to support said engaging, lifting and transferring means is at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrance of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section.

10. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member, the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position inboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position outboard of said hull sections, and the means used to support said engaging, lifting and transferring means is at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrance of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section. 

1. A vessel comprising a hull consisting of at least two separable hull sections, means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another to a working position, means to mate said separable hull sections together to form a single hull for transporting said sections, means supported over at least one of said hull sections when said sections are in said working position capable of engaging a load, lifting said load and transferring said lifted load from its lifted position to another position for disengaging of said load.
 2. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is supported over at least two of said hull sections.
 3. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections.
 4. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections, transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections and thence to a position outboard of said hull sections other than the position from which the load was engaged and lifted.
 5. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position inboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position outboard of said hull sections.
 6. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member.
 7. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is supported by at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrance of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section.
 8. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member, the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections, and the means used to support said engaging, lifting and transferring means is at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrence of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section.
 9. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hulL sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member, the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position outboard of said hull sections, transferring said load to a position inboard of said hull sections and thence to a position outboard of said hull sections other than the position from which the load was engaged and lifted, and the means used to support said engaging, lifting and transferring means is at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrance of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section.
 10. A vessel of the type described in claim 1 wherein the means to extend said separable hull sections a controlled distance from one another comprises at least one bridging member rotatably mounted on each of at least two separable hull sections and means capable of affording controlled rotation of said member, the means capable of engaging, lifting and transferring said load is capable of engaging and lifting said load from a position inboard of said hull sections and transferring said load to a position outboard of said hull sections, and the means used to support said engaging, lifting and transferring means is at least one member capable of being raised from substantially hull section deck level to a height above said hull section sufficient to allow transferrance of said load through the space between said raised support member and said hull section. 